Its the final countdown

The temperature, whilst never achieving any dizzying heights this summer, has taken a decided turn down the thermometer. Yesterday morning saw a light frost on the yew hedges (which are currently undergoing their annual trim). The sky was as azure as it could be and the light perfectly dappled through the trees. I love the early morning light at this time of the year and in Spring, so took the opportunity to have a walk round the garden and take some photographs. I have over the years taken so many pictures of Renishaw Hall and Gardens, when I look through them they bring back such lovely memories.

Last weekend we hosted a 50th Wedding Anniversary lunch for Guy and Doris. Guy has been a volunteer here ever since the doors were first opened and has many a tale to tell. Guy very kindly gave us a bottle of his homemade wine which was delicious. He and Sir Reresby used to trade bottles annually and Lady Sitwell even once suggested it could be sold in the shop it was so nice. Guy enters his wine into Froggatt Show and regularly gets placed. If you ever see a drop of Watson's Winery I recommend it to you. Pictured is the table set with Dame Edith watching over proceedings, anyone got a birthday or anniversary they'd like to celebrate with us just get in touch - gallerycaterers@hotmail.co.uk

It's the time of year when there is a glut of lovely homegrown fruit and veg, this last fortnight I have been making runner bean chutney which I think is quite yummy. I've also made some runner bean piccalilli which I shall subject Adrian to over the winter, as I said there's a lot of them around and he did once mention he liked piccalilli!

Yorkshire parkin, that's a cake that brings back loads of childhood memories for me. I remember my mum baking it, generally around Halloween, it was sticky and dark and delicious. As the weather has cooled I thought it would make a nice warming addition to the cake range so a slightly less sticky version is adorning the cake stands and selling well. Could become a regular feature next year. I might subject Adrian to gluten free testing on it. He always says he's in charge of quality control!

Anyway, it's our penultimate weekend and as always it is very sad. This weekend and next all our lovely regular customers appear to say goodbye and wish us Merry Christmas. I'm often asked what I do over the winter - housework should be the answer. There is a need to reclaim the house from the spiders who have slowly moved in over the summer. This year I've asked the question back of those people whose faces we see at the same time on the same day each week - one or two have asked for our address!! Do sign up to the blog by email and we'll be in touch over the winter. You never know we might just open up one Sunday morning - by invitation only of course!

Take care all, do call and see us before the 30th September.

Lou & Adrian

Caution: Man at work

What a lovely month August has been, unless my memory is failing me it seemed to be pretty much wall to wall sunshine. Here's hoping the lovely weather continues well into October. The heavy rain early in the season has done wonders for the garden although its not all good news, my pear tree hasn't got a single fruit on it which I am assuming is due to the rain. I do so love pear and chocolate sponge too. Oh well, there's always next year.

As with all small businesses, it tends to be the case that everyone has to muck in and just do what needs doing. Of course there are certain jobs that we just leave to Adrian mainly cooking (best plan all round) and emptying the bins at the end of the day, conversely there are jobs that Adrian leaves to the rest of us however, I caught him the other day definitely doing one of 'our' jobs, perhaps he is a 'new' man after all despite his years!

Its hard to believe we've only got 3 weekends left of the season. I had a customer wish me 'Happy Christmas' as she left yesterday in case she didn't see me again. How lovely, but makes you realise how quickly time passes, and nudge nudge, you've only got 3 weekends left to visit.

Over the winter break, I hope to develop a full website for the cafe, I'll have the blog on there, recipes and information for individual visitors and groups and goodness only knows what else. Once it is up and running I'll post the address here. So, as the saying goes, watch this space.

Bye for now.
Lou x

Supermarket Tarts

Tuesday evening saw Morrisons closing at 6.00pm to reopen on Thursday morning at 7.00am. Shoppers in Christmas proportions were out and about panic buying and stocking up on those essentials you can't manage one day without - joints of beef and lamb mainly I think.  I couldn't face it "I'm off to Sainsbury" I tell Adrian. "Sainsbury, but we're a Morrisons family", he replies. "I've got a voucher" I mutter. That afternoon Adrian announces he needs Champagne for work but can't face Morrisons. "Go to Tesco" says I, "I've got a voucher". Adrian returns brandishing Champagne, rib-eye steaks and a jolly nice bottle of red wine. "All this for £20" he crows. Yesterday morning I received my nectar rewards from Saisnbury, "You're a bit of a supermarket tart really aren't you" Adrian said as he snatched the vouchers from my hands. Talking of tarts, he does say the sweetest things.

Chocolate Brownie Slice hit the cake stands this week but didn't hang around long enough to be photographed, although I did make another on Friday evening for Dave K (Head Gardener) and his missus oh, and his Lordship of course. Think it might become a regular feature next season along with my mate Dave's gluten free honeycake which is simply to die for. Anyway, back to the here and now I'm wishing my life away.

Adrian on a recent day off

We only have 4 weekends left of this season, I do not know where this year has gone. We've had a good season in spite of the weather, thanks as much as anything to our regular customers. We are very grateful for your patronage particularly when we see so many business premises up for sale and to let. The garden also has benefited from all the rain we've had and is looking lush and lovely. It has to be said though we are very ready for a rest and starting to have some thoughts about a holiday.

Do come and see us before the end of the season, hopefully we're going to have an Indian summer and September will be glorious.

Take care all.
Lou x

Imagine...

Imagine driving up the drive to Renishaw Hall, crossing the cattle grid and being met by the sight of 6 fire engines, a control tent, several smaller vehicles and numerous firemen! Oh imagine.  That is exactly the sight that greeted me on Tuesday morning. Momentarily I was freaked as I could see water pouring from hoses at an angle that looked like it was aimed at the roof, however I was soon pacified by a lovely young fireman who showed me where to park the car and assured me it was just a training exercise.

Imagine the Mercian Vineyards Association hold their Annual Wine Challenge at Renishaw Hall, where they are tasting over 80 wines and on departure leave you a dozen bottles to sample. We were lucky enough to be the recipients of such a gesture of the MVA on Sunday last. We're having enormous fun sniffing, sipping and swirling but, no spitting out. I'm a bit of a wine snob really, believing quite firmly when it comes to wine and food nobody does it better than the French however, one or two of the English wines have surprised me. For example this evening with our cheese we have sampled the Penny Red from the Halfpenny Green Vineyard, it wasn't pleasing my taste buds but add some Camembert and it was rocking. Interestingly Kieron Atkinson, The Vineyard Manager at Renishaw, recently won a Bronze Medal for his still white wine at the UK Vineyards Association Wine Awards - big up to Kieron. This award-winning wine is available to buy in the cafe or the shop at Renishaw.

Imagine living in a country that in the year its Queen celebrates 60 years on the throne it also hosts the best ever Olympic games. Well, no imagining necessary - we do! I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of the Olympics even stopping up to watch both the opening and closing ceremonies, which for someone who goes to bed at 9pm most nights is pretty unbelievable.

Imagine the dark days of winter when Renishaw is not open, it's only 6 weeks away - come on, come visit before we close up for winter. I can't promise firemen, but I can promise a warm welcome.

Be good to see you
Lou x

Falling in love again

For the last three years the garden has, to me, felt a little melancholy, almost as if it was missing Sir Reresby - I'm a little fanciful like that - however, I managed a quick walk around the garden this week. Wow! Whether it is the weather or whether the garden is coming out of mourning I don't know, but it really took my breath away and I fell in love with it all over again. I love the opening up of the entry to the garden and there are some beautiful plants in this area, the changes on top lawn give a feeling of a few more acres and the lowering of the hedge in the secret garden to give the view down to the lakes is fantastic and, I have a whole new 'must have' list of plants for my own already overstocked garden. Of course, reality is, that a new owner is breathing new life into her garden and it is wonderful.

A few years ago I went on 5 days of customer awareness training. One day of the course was dedicated to trying to understand why a customer might be a little grumpy. This involved having split peas in your shoes, wearing sunglasses smeared with vaseline, earplugs and rubber gloves with the fingers stuff with cotton wool. The aim of the exercise was to give you some idea of what some of your customers, unbeknownst to you, might be experiencing, which may in turn explain their 'mood'. I think I can say we (and speak for all of us in the café) have had to draw on this training several times in the last few weeks. There have been a number of people with split peas in their shoes. Like the woman who wanted Pheasant Pithivier but didn't want to wait! In the past I have heard people remark in different settings that service in shops/restaurants in the UK is not as good as on the continent, knowing that we all try really hard in the café I would counter that and suggest that maybe as customers we have a lot to learn, staff can have split pea filled shoes too. The customer isn't necessarily always right but customer service training dictates that you can't tell the customer what you're really thinking ergo the customer gets the last word.

The sunshine yesterday brought out lots of familiar faces which was lovely. What a shame the summer is not quite barbecue hot. Fingers crossed we'll have an Indian summer to make up for it. I'm having a day off today and on the top of my 'to do list' is mow the lawn.  Not this week!

See you soon

Lou x

Keep the faith

Several coach parties aside, the next few weeks at Renishaw are relatively quiet with the exception of the launch of Lorraine Botterill's sculpture exhibition in the gardens. The exhibition launches on Sunday 1st July with Lorraine doing demonstrations and talks about her work. for further information contact the office on 01246 432310.

A quick update for those who were informed by Adrian about 'Jar Gate', a package arrived today addressed to The Manageress, Gallery Cafe etc. etc., seems I've had a promotion as Adrian gave it to me to open. Inside were my jars along with an anonymous note saying the contents had been so nice and in such large proportions they had decided to finish them at home. No names no apologies. How very bizarre! This little act has restored my faith in human nature once more and I am again at one with the world.

Cheesecake this weeks is Rhubarb & Ginger and it's selling fast. It is a classic combination, the chutney I made earlier this season has flown out. I've a little more Rhubarb in the garden to go at so might make another batch.

On Monday we celebrated Adrian's 50th birthday with a little trip into Sheffield to see the Olympic torch followed by a few beers and a meal with friends. We were a merry party of 14 and it was lovely to meet up with some customers out for the experience too. We rarely venture into the big city but always bump into customers which is really lovely particularly in the depths of winter.

 Finally, my planned red, white and blue front garden has finally flowered, yes I know the jubilee is now a distant memory but here it is anyway.

Come and say hello, it would be lovely to see you.
 Lou x

That was the week that was

What a week this has been, finally the very daunting task of feeding 85 members of the Historic Houses Association has been and gone and we were/are happy with the final result. We started with coffee in the main hall of the house (which, incidentally is looking lovely following a few changes by Alexandra), Louise spotted a 'chap' having problems with his name badge and in true Lou can fix it fashion bobbed over and offered to assist whilst simultaneously putting her hand down his jumper to guide the pin through it, never thinking to check out what the name tag said, he smiled sweetly and said he always had trouble with name tags, however it was only at the end of the day that she found out she had been very over-familiar with the Duke of Rutland.


Eighty-five people in two rooms was a first for us, carefully thought-out menu; Pâté de campagne, Salmon with caper crumble and Honeycomb cheesecake. No special dietary requirements we were advised. During the course of the meal we came across, and dealt with, a celiac, a vegetarian and a diabetic, thankfully there wasn't a vegan present!


We've reinvented our apple pie this week, it is now apple pie with a crumble top and is lovely (even if I do say so myself) 10 portions disappeared in less than 5 minutes when it was presented to a lovely group from Macclesfield on Thursday, so could be a new regular.

Have you seen these jars?

Yesterday saw Louise incandescent with rage when a couple in their 70's helped (allegedly) themselves to two of her mini kilner jars from a Ploughmans Lunch. It wasn't the taking of the jars that particularly ruffled her feathers, it was the fact that they denied having any jars on their ploughmans that caused her so much annoyance. "The youth of today, that's absolute hogwash, if this is the example that's being set, there's no hope for society, never mind the youth." Anyone who knows Louise can picture the scene. Trust me naming and shaming would have occurred if names had been known. Louise is currently to be seen walking round muttering the 6 of the 10 commandments she can remember!


Hope the weather doesn't put you off calling to see us.
Adrian

The New Kid on the Block

I thought I'd waffle on about dogs today, man's best friend and all that.  We love dogs and do try to be welcoming to all our four-legged visitors although we do ask they remain outside whilst we are serving lunches (12 noon till 2.30pm) with, of course, the exception of assistance dogs. Minky from the big house knows where the treats are kept (in my pocket) and she's not afraid to ask for one.

Lexie

Butler (left) and Mazey

Lexie (our youngest and most demanding) would, if she could speak, tell everyone her dad has got a cafe.  She loves it at Renishaw, she snuffles round under the tables outside looking for the smallest dropped crumb - doggy heaven.  She's known to us as the Lexie Ness Monster as she often will swim the length of the big lake at Renishaw, for some perverse reason known only to herself, she loves to swim through water lilies and will often swim round in circles in a patch of them. Very odd! Mazey has been on duty at the kennel seen from the cafe window for 14 seasons (just as many as Adrian), she's 14 today, old, senile and extremely smelly. Even Butler, our occasional house guest, loves it at Renishaw.

Last March we were lucky enough to be asked to work in the hall for a weekend when the staff were on holiday. It was great fun, a little 'Upstairs Downstairs' but thankfully we had the guidance of the Caretaker/Butler. The dogs love to lay in front of the range in the kitchen and are very reluctant to move. Pictured is Adrian cooking dinner for 6 without disturbing the residents (front to back: Humphrey, Hector who sadly died last month and Minky).

When Lady Sitwell acquired Sophie I didn't think little dogs could get much cuter, but it turns out I was wrong.  On Sunday I was introduced to what has to be the cutest little dog EVER. Alexandra appeared in the cafe with a wire-haired daschund sat in her handbag. Only 11 weeks old and at the time without a name, the new kid on the block even managed an "aah" and a smile from Adrian.  Of course when I asked for one, the answer was a resounding "NO". No amount of "please can I, please can I, please can I" would melt him.

Of course not everyone is a doggy fan so I apologise to those amongst you and thank you for your forebearance.

Hope to see you soon.
Lou x

A Quick Catch Up

Phew, time to sit down, relax and have a cup of tea. The long awaited (and much feared by myself) Jubilee weekend has been and gone and we survived.  As ever, the weather wasn't on the side of anyone who had an outside event organised but thankfully for us a very early start, much brain power and a bit of muscle saw us ready and able to seat 71 people in a room we usually use for 48. Talk about love thy neighbour. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves and the food was well received, with lots of lovely compliments.

On Saturday Night Jo Davison from The Sheffield Star was invited to the outdoor screening of the film The Queen.  She decided to take the opportunity to do a Dining Out Review of the cafe (which we didn't know until she paid). The photographer came yesterday and Jo will be doing an interview with Adrian before the review appears in The Sheffield Star, we believe a week on Saturday (16th June) lets hope she had a lovely evening.

Last week I visited a lovely customer of ours, it was the the only time last week I was really able to sit down and relax. We sat in his lovely garden and I was able to sample his much talked about feta cheese and mint scones.  Talk about heavenly! Dave's garden was designed by his Grandad between the wars, it is open to the public this Saturday and Sunday (12 Ansell Road, Ecclesall, Sheffield) and I happen to know he will be selling his beautiful scones and homemade cakes for charity. I enjoyed the scones so much I have made some this morning for the cafe (with Daves permission of course) I'm not sure the scones quite measure up to Dave's but they're a bit gorgeous. 

Life will return to relative normality for the next few weeks here at Renishaw. The roses are all in full bud ready to burst into flower and the garden is generally looking beautiful.  I had a little chat with Alexandra last week about some of the changes that have been made in the garden and I was really impressed by the way she is taking control of her garden and the thought processes that have gone into the changes. Its an exciting time for Renishaw but she doesn't seem at all daunted by it. Me, I'd be terrified.

See you soon.

Lou x

This, that and the Other

I can't believe it's been nearly a fortnight since I last divulged a little piece of my mind. Since then, there's been quite a bit going on in our little world. Firstly, it transpires our most distant blog watcher (I'm sure there is a proper term) is in Durban, South Africa. Hello Margaret if you're reading this, it's lovely to have you along for the ride. Secondly, according to an item I heard on Radio 4, your popularity is now proven by the number of left clicks you get. can you believe this? To be credible in anything, apparently, you need to have thousands of likes - Houston, we have a problem, we only have 15! It seems the hundreds of lovely customers we have each week don't count - well in our world they do and we're really happy to see you all.

Preparations are well under way for the big Jubilee weekend. I love the Queen, she looks like my grandma used to when she'd just had her hair done, but I've got to say I'm a bit overdone now with Union Jacks, I seem to have been seeing them since last summer. All those people who went mad on the interior design Union Jack inspiration (cushions, cups, teapots etc. etc.) you not going to be fashionable again for a while, in fact not until 2027 when the Queen could celebrate her Platinum jubilee. I think I might book that weekend off, in the meantime, for this one I've had a bit of a cookie fest.

 Very excitedly, this week Renishaw has been used as a location for a photography shoot for a magazine for a French shop. We've had all manner of gorgeous artistes and models wandering round. We were asked to produce some cakes for the shoot, think Marie Antoinette's tea party, was the brief. How scary? Didn't these people know whey we're coming to the farthest corner of Derbyshire from London? Anyway I did my best and it gave me an excuse to make pink macaroons too. The cakes were used and this is a picture of some of the remaining ones. I now need to persuade Adrian to take me to Paris for when the magazine is published so I can pick up a copy. How cool!


 This week has also seen the demise of the bee hives at Renishaw. unfortunately one of the hives swarmed for a second time and the bees were particularly aggressive. Adrian got stung twice and unfortunately three people from the farm got stung too. I was terrified even in a full bee suit. The guard bees we just doing their job a bit too well, they chased me and Lizzie B a good 300 metres away from the hive (and I do mean chased in my case) and were still attacking us. Liz took the decision to destroy one hive and has relocated the other. It isn't necessarily the end of that little project but a location rethink (could Phil and Kirsty help us out here?) and some nicer bees will be required. Honey will still be available via the cafe a little later in the summer.

Hope to see you this weekend, if not, whatever you're doing I hope you have a fabulous time.

Take care, Lou x

Que Sera Sera

The thought for the day comes from any number of places, I'm often seen scribbling on receipts out of my purse having heard a bit of something on the radio, I even copied down something off a wall in a garden centre once. Often the pieces of paper get lost (if you've ever seen the inside of a typical woman's handbag you'll understand), sometimes they make it to the notice hoard and then the debate begins. I like life lessons, "twee" Adrian would say, "You just want to be Doris Day" accuses Kathy. probably true on both counts, although I would just like to be able to sing like Doris Day rather than actually BE Doris Day.

There are panic moments; Wednesday morning dawns and nothing has struck home, no words worthy of going on the blackboard. How do these column writers do it? They have to produce hundreds, even thousands of words, weekly and I struggle to come up with one little thought. "Humour", Adrian says "we need funny things", my personal favourite is 'If it's the tourist season, why can't we shoot them?' He says I can't use it however, you've got to admit, it's funny!

Any words of wisdom you would like to share send them to us on gallerycaterers@hotmail.co.uk you could save me another grey hair.

See you soon.
Lou x

ps Poptastic D, if you're reading this I've had a serious cheese scone malfunction this morning, they've gone sideways instead of up!

Something for everyone this weekend

This weekend is packed full of things happening at Renishaw Hall & Gardens. On Saturday we have a Food Fair with stalls selling local produce from10.30am to 4.00pm.  There are also two Vineyard Tour & Tastes at 11.30am and 2.00pm.

Saturday also sees the opening of the Royalty & Renishaw Exhibition. The exhibition celebrates the relationship between Renishaw and the Royals of Britain and Europe. The exhibition was previewed yesterday by The Times and a review will feature on Saturday, with the exhibition also appearing in the Independent on Sunday. Woman and Home Magazine have listed it as the 2nd best Jubilee exhibition to see, second only to Buckingham Palace.

The exhibition is open 10.30am to 4.30pm, Wednesday to Sunday and will be open until the close of the season.

On Sunday the Plant Fair opens at 10.30am with specialist nurseries selling a range of lovely plants and offering advice. There are also another two more Vineyard Tour & Tastes at 11.30am and 2.00pm.

Don't forget there's also all the usual loveliness in the Cafe. Hope to see you soon.
Louise x

Last week it was Francophile, this week it's Countryfile

The BIG news this week is that a couple of Saturdays ago we had the pleasure of hosting the crew from the BBCs Countryfile programme. They were in the area filming for a programme about Derbyshire, obviously they didn't just call in for tea it was all planned and they spent an entire day here filming in the Vineyard, the Hall and the garden. Matt Baker was ill so we had to put up with Adam the farmer (what a shame!). It is planned that the programme will be broadcast on Sunday, 6th May so hopefully you'll catch it on the Beeb.

There's been a few changes to the menu so I thought I'd put the whole thing here in the hopes of tickling some taste buds:


Farmers Pie, Goats Cheese & Caramelised Red Onion Tart, Gammon Salad, Salmon Salad, Ploughmans Lunch, Onion & Leek Tart, Pheasant Pithivier, Roast Partridge, Rabbit in Mustard Sauce, Chicken Breast in Bacon and Mushroom Sauce, Daube de Provence, Pork Loin in Prunes.

If Adrian asks if you'd like his autograph just ignore him, he used to be on the stage you know and likes nothing better than to regale a willing audience with tales of when he 'trod the boards' and he even still remembers all his lines!

Hope to see you soon.
Louise x

Just to let you know...

Good morning all, due to the inclement weather conditions today we have decided not to put out the Weigh & Pay Buffet but will be serving from the blackboard menu with some favourite Weigh & Pay dishes also available. We apologise for any inconvenience however, we are not expecting a high number of customers and wish to avoid unnecessary waste.

See you soon
Adrian & Louise

Il fait du soleil!

When I awoke this morning, it was wall to wall sunshine so welcome after the dreary mornings we've had this week. I'm a bit of a Francophile and got a bit 'Paris in the springtime' so felt a tart was appropriate to celebrate the sunshine. Adrian informed me he fancies a tart anytime(!) and agreed it would be a nice addition to the menu, with the promise that if it didn't sell I could have it for dinner, so added to the menu today we have Leek and Onion Tart. We've had a lovely coach party in from Birmingham today, all really pleasant and chatty, they seem to be enjoying themselves despite the cold weather.

The bluebells are stunning, somehow they seem more blue than ever, perhaps they're just brightening up the dull days. I photographed white 'bluebells' down near the lake but forgot to check if they were natives or not. It's not the first time I've seen white ones at Renishaw but I don't recollect seeing them anywhere else. Perhaps I just wasn't looking.

I hope some of you venture out to see us tomorrow on what is forecast to be an horrific day weather wise, lets hope the Beeb have got it wrong. Don't delay the bluebells are really early and will be over the top soon.

Louise x

The Rain in Spain falls mainly on Renishaw

Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear, or as Supertramp would say "It's raining again". However, we are  not downhearted, we are here, poised and ready with a big pan of soup on the go. It feels like a soup day today.

Of course, we can't complain about the rain really, the gardens are desperate for water and so might we be if the dry weather had continued. Anyway in the week that started with St George's Day, I would just like to say 'stiff upper lip' chaps and we're still be here whatever the weather.

I think Louise might pick up the rolling pin if I don't stop singing raindrops keep falling on my head ,and she wont be rolling pastry!

Adrian

Thank Crunchie its Friday

What a dreary week this has been weather wise, thankfully today the sun is shining. The courtyard was flooded yesterday but thanks to the very brave efforts of Malcolm and John (the Estate joiners) we were all rescued before the lifeboats could be launched!

Still haven't turned all the bananas into Banana Tea loaf (with my magic wand), but I have turned crunchies into Honeycomb Cheesecake. Mmm, I'm not a sweet tooth but even I can devour this. I had my first delivery of rhubarb from the lovely lady at the round house this week - crumble or chutney? Its a tricky one and I just can't decide, maybe I should put it to the vote. Anyone any thoughts on the subject?

We've made a couple of changes to the menu this week,  Daube de Provence and Pork Loin cooked with Prunes have made an appearance on the menu along with Roast Partridge which continues the game theme we've had going on.

We've now got a facebook page, if you search on Gallery Cafe at Renishaw Hall you'll find us. All these mod cons, we soon won't have time for cooking!

See you all soon.
Louise x

Cheese & Chutney

Last season Louise announced she'd a yearning to bake Cheese Scones, "they'll never sell", said I, how wrong can you be? Cheese scones have to be one of our best sellers and of course Louise never says "told you so", at least not more than once a week!

We have our own range of jams, jellies and chutneys for sale in the café this year. Many of the ingredients are homegrown without any thought of they'll all be ready together(!) and what on earth shall we do with them? After having been on a diet of purely soup for too long another solution was required, thus jam and chutney making began. The newest edition is Rhubarb and Ginger Chutney made with forced rhubarb from the walled kitchen garden at Clumber Park. Plum and Pear Chutney, along with sweet cucumber pickle, is served with the Ploughmans Lunch.


I'm under fire this  morning having bought Louise a box of bananas, apparently it should have been a box of chocolates. You can't please some people can you, but the resulting Banana Tea Loaf is worth the agro.


Bye for now.
Adrian

Busy Bees

Easter Sunday was very very busy indeed, Monday, sadly, was a bit of a washout but the hardy folks were out complete with children in tow and one or two of our usual faces turned up. It's lovely to see old friends. One lovely lady shared with me a story about a young boy who had come home from school and told his mum he had learnt about a man with holes in his hands who had crucified the Easter bunny. Could this prompt a debate about the levels of education in British schools I wonder?

The Simnel Cake was a roaring success and having been sceptical it would sell, I actually had to bake a second. The Hot Cross Buns also sold like 'hot cakes' (sorry!) and it has been muted by his nibs that I could start making tea cakes... watch this space.

Anyway, today's hot news is, the bees have arrived. My gorgeous mate, Lizzie B, has placed two bee hives in the Renishaw Kitchen Garden each with its own colony of lovely friendly bees (well, you know friendly in the great scheme of things). The plan is that later this year the bees will have produced honey some of which will be for sale in the Renishaw shop.  Liz has only been keeping bees for a short time but has already won two prizes in country fairs for the quality of her honey.  Anyone fancy trying some from her other hives let me know and I'll see what I can do. Liz and I have been working furiously in the Kitchen Garden over the winter, pruning the fruit trees hoping to improve the general health of some very old trees. Visited the bees yesterday to welcome them and there is plenty of blossom up there for the them to be getting on with. I'm going to help Liz with the upkeep of the hives and am quite excited by it all, although just a little daunted by being quite so close to the bees, but they do have their little way of warning you that you've been there long enough, they bounce off you!

Bee seeing you!
Louise x

Hot cross bunnies

As its Easter weekend and we all can manage an association with the Easter bunny (even if it is only for the chocolate eggs), I've dug up a rabbit quote from one of the Sitwell family.  Any thoughts who was responsible for these words? "A great many people now reading and writing would be better employed keeping rabbits." Answer at the end.


We've got the Easter Egg trail on Sunday and Monday along with face painting and Punch & Judy to entertain the children.  Come and see the Camellia Walk in full bloom, the Hellebores are still looking wonderful in their own sweet, shy and retiring way and the Bluebells are open early. Early Bluebells is a topic that has even reached BBC Radio 4. Bluebells were photographed at Renishaw on 10th March this year. Don't miss them.

Sunday morning will see us offering homemade Hot Cross Buns and Simnel Cake and for the children we'll have lovely little chocolate egg nests. Talking about rabbits, we've got Rabbit in Mustard Sauce on the menu at the moment served with lovely mashed potato to soak up that creamy sauce.


Got up this morning to the snow. My poor Auriculas, they love the white stuff but not, I fear, when they are about to flower. Take care all, see you soon.


p.s. The quote is attributed to Dame Edith Sitwell.

In at the deep end!

Wow, what a way to start the season. Adrian was predicting cooking two lunches, this turned into 22 lunches. We had our busiest first day ever, and unbelievably, we think we knew 96% of the visitors. So, a big THANK YOU to our lovely customers out there, we were so pleased to see you all.

Pie on a dinner plate!

New menu seems to be settling in well with Adrian, the first two portions of Farmers Pie were served, one to the Lady from the Big House, and it was deemed a success. It really is a Desperate Dan sized pie although we are assured Paul the gardener could only manage half!

It's 'Weigh & Pay' buffet tomorrow, take a plate and choose exactly what combination of food you want in exactly your preferred portion size. Rebekah will be on hand to help out and explain all. There are hot and cold desserts and for the first time ever, we will be serving soup on a Sunday.

Lunch is available 12.00 noon - 2.30pm with sandwiches, cakes and small plated salads available all day.

Hope to see you soon.
Louise x

Dotting the i's and crossing the t's

Here we are the night before the 2012 season at Renishaw Hall.

We think we've remembered everything. New sandwich fillings? Check. New sandwich packaging? Check. New menu? Check. Cakes and scones baked? Check. Staff booked? Check. All we need now are the customers.

We're very excited about this year. The menu will change monthly. Don't panic you salmon salad eaters we're as loyal to you as you are to us. April sees us offering Pheasant Pithiviers, Farmers Pie, Rabbit in Mustard Sauce, Salmon with a Caper Crumble Top and other delicious dishes.

Don't forget we're open Wednesday through Sunday, 10.30am to 4.30pm and Bank Holiday Mondays.

I'll sign off now and leave you with the thought for the day "The best mirror is an old friend".

Look forward to seeing you soon.
Adrian

Tables and chairs and more tables and chairs....

All the outside furniture is desperate for some TLC (aren't we all?) so starting today we are going to give them a good brush down and a coat of stain.  Hopefully they'll all be dry by 30th March - some years the paint has been known to be a little 'tacky' shall we say.  Sun is shining and the lovely Moira Stuart has informed me that it won't rain but it's only going to be 8°C today, sounds chilly.  Note to self: Put the kettle on.


End of day one and all the tables and single chairs are done.  Backs are aching, clothes are ruined and there's still another day to go.....


All done.  It's amazing what you can do when you put your mind to it.  The gravel is washed (yes, you read it correctly), raked and ready to receive the newly stained furniture.  It's almost a case of just add customers.

It's all in the preparation...

So, we're nearing the end of February, the sun is shining, buds are swelling and flowers are appearing in the garden.  It's time to dust off the cobwebs and start thinking about the forthcoming season at Renishaw Hall.